In a bold critique, a prominent think tank warns that Pakistan’s pro-Iran tilt is jeopardizing its prized Major Non-NATO Ally designation from the United States. The report, released amid heightened US-Iran friction, paints Islamabad as an unreliable broker unfit for international peace initiatives.
Established under US leadership on January 15, 2026, the ‘Board of Peace’ saw President Trump extend an invitation to PM Shehbaz Sharif on January 18. Yet, with Pakistan slated for a supporting role in February 6 Turkey negotiations between Washington and Tehran, experts question its impartiality.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has been vocal in his support. ‘Iran remains our cherished neighbor whose sovereignty is paramount,’ he stated on January 13. During a January 20 sit-down with Iranian envoy Reza Amiri Moghadam, Asif pledged unyielding solidarity.
This loyalty shone through at the UN Human Rights Council, where Pakistan opposed expanding investigations into Iran’s protest crackdowns, a move thanked by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on January 24. The pattern traces back to June 2025’s intense 12-day conflict, with US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Pakistan backed Iran firmly, and ties deepened afterward.
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s August 2025 visit to Pakistan – his first post-war foreign outing – underscored this bond, with leaders touting enhanced trade and cooperation. The Middle East Media Research Institute’s report demands action: strip MNNA benefits, reconsider status, and sideline Pakistan from US-Iran talks.
‘Granting Pakistan special military access while it shields a US adversary is untenable,’ the document asserts. As America navigates Middle East complexities, this assessment signals a potential pivot away from a long-time partner, prioritizing strategic reliability over historical ties.